Bryan Baker

Bryan Baker (born October 13, 1985) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Baker fought in various promotions, most notably World Extreme Cagefighting and Bellator. Baker was also a competitor in the second season of Bellator's Middleweight Tournament in 2010, reaching the final against Alexander Shlemenko.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Baker began his professional mixed martial arts career in early 2007 for the Cage of Fire promotion in Mexico. His first fight was against Scott Rose, who Baker finished off quickly, in just over a minute, due to submission.

In April 2007, Baker faced Jesse Juarez and defeated him via third round submission (rear-naked choke). Baker then followed this up with two TKO victories, both in the first round, against Geoff Hawks and Reggie Orr.

World Extreme Cagefighting Baker then signed for World Extreme Cagefighting and made his debut at WEC 30 against Jesse Forbes. Baker was dropped early in the first round and was also subject to Forbes' slams. Whilst on the ground, Baker was able to get top position, which prompted Forbes to give his back. Baker continued to strike and the fight was stopped after 4:15 of the first round, due to TKO (punches).

Bryan was next scheduled to fight Nissen Osterneck at WEC 31, but this bout was replaced by a bout with Eric Schambari due to an injury to Osterneck. In a three round bout, Bryan won via split decision.

This led to a future bout against Logan Clark being scheduled at WEC 33. At the same card, Chael Sonnen was scheduled to fight Paulo Filho in a middleweight title rematch. However, this fight was cancelled after Filho had to check himself into a rehabilitation center and Baker was offered to chance to fill in Filho, against Sonnen. and stepped into the bout with less than two weeks notice and suffered his first ever MMA loss. Sonnen dominated the fight with multiple takedowns and was able to shrug off many submission attempts by Baker. Sonnen pulled off the unanimous decision with scores of 30-26, 30-25 and 30-25.

Post-WEC Baker's first appearance after WEC, was at a charity event against Gary Padilla. In a strong showing of striking ability, Baker pulled off the unanimous decision victory.

Baker then stepped in at short notice once again, this time, against Spencer Canup for the CFP Middleweight Championship. Baker won via first round TKO (punch).

Baker then signed for Maximum Fighting Championship. In his promotion debut, Baker beat Ultimate Fighter 3 alumni Rory Singer via first round TKO via punches, just seconds before the end of the first round.

Bellator Fighting Championships Baker made his Bellator debut against IFL and Ultimate Fighting Championship alumni Matt Horwich at Bellator 10. Baker was victorious via unanimous decision.

Baker then returned to MFC and was scheduled to fight former UFC Middleweight title contender, Thales Leites. Baker instead faced Art Santore and won via unanimous decision.

Baker then signed with Bellator to take part in their middleweight tournament in the second Bellator season.

In the first round of the tournament, Baker defeated Sean Loeffler via TKO at Bellator 16.

In the semi-final round, Baker faced Eric Schambari for the second time in his career. After 2:29 of the first round, Baker managed to submit his opponent with a triangle choke, which advanced him to the final of the middleweight tournament.

Baker faced Alexander Shlemenko in the Bellator Middleweight tournament final on June 24, 2010, at Bellator 23. Coming into the fight, Baker had recorded two opening-round finishes, but on this occasion, he was on the losing side of an opening-round finish, as he suffered a TKO loss after just 2:45. After early exchanges between the two fighters, Shlemenko hit Baker with a strong liver shot, followed by a combination that dropped him. Shlemenko then continued his attack until the referee stopped the fight. Two days later, Baker faced the veteran Jeremy Horn at Bellator 30. The fight was "a grinding affair" with Horn attempting takedowns and a guillotine choke. Baker survived and ended the opening round with a few strikes. The next two rounds saw Horn become somewhat lethargic, giving Baker the opportunity to attempt a triangle armbar. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Baker then faced Douglas Lima at Bellator 86 on February 21, 2013. Baker would fill in for the injured Brent Weedman in the Season Eight Welterweight Tournament Semi-Finals. He lost via KO 2:34 into the first round.

In August 2014, Baker was among thirteen fighters that were released from the promotion.

Post-Bellator Baker faced Elias Theodorou on December 18, 2021 at Colorado Combat Club 10. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Bellator Fighting Championships Bellator Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Runner-Up Fight Matrix 2007 Rookie of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Elias Theodorou Decision (unanimous) Colorado Combat Club 10

Greeley, Colorado, United States NC

Mike Rhodes NC (elbows to back of head) Extreme Beatdown: Beatdown 21

New Town, North Dakota, United States Loss

Douglas Lima KO (punch) Bellator 90

West Valley City, Utah, United States Loss

Karl Amoussou Submission (inverted heel hook) Bellator 72

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Ben Saunders Decision (unanimous) Bellator 67

Rama, Ontario, Canada Win

Carlos Alexandre Pereira Decision (split) Bellator 63

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Vitor Vianna TKO (punches) Bellator 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jared Hess TKO (punches) Bellator 50

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Joe Riggs KO (punch) Bellator 43

Newkirk, Oklahoma, United States Win

Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) Bellator 30

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss

Alexander Shlemenko TKO (punches) Bellator 23

Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win

Eric Schambari Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 20

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Sean Loeffler TKO (punches) Bellator 16

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Art Santore Decision (unanimous) MFC 23

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Matt Horwich Decision (unanimous) Bellator 10

Ontario, California, United States Win

Rory Singer TKO (punches) MFC 20

Enoch, Alberta, Canada Win

Spencer Canup KO (punches) Carolina Fight Promotions: The Carolina Crown

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States Win

Gary Padilla Decision (unanimous) JG and TKT Promotions: Fighting 4 Kidz

Santa Monica, California, United States Loss

Chael Sonnen Decision (unanimous) WEC 33: Marshall vs. Stann

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eric Schambari Decision (split) WEC 31

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jesse Forbes TKO (punches) WEC 30

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Reggie Orr TKO (punches) KOTC: Collision Course

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Geoff Hawks TKO (punches) Total Fighting Alliance 6

Santa Monica, California, United States Win

Jesse Juarez Submission (rear-naked choke) Chaos in the Cage 2

San Bernardino, California, United States Win

Scott Rose Submission (punches) Cage of Fire 5

Tijuana, Mexico